Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 12, 2021

As a startup mentor and investor, I am approached regularly by aspiring entrepreneurs who assert that business plans take too much time, are inaccurate, and rarely add value. The size of the document should be based on your style, but 10-20 pages or slides are usually more than adequate to outline even a complex business.

Technical Review 126

Technical Review Writing Entrepreneur Slides 126

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 15, 2015

As a mentor to startups and new entrepreneurs, I continue to hear the refrain that business plans are no longer required for a new startup, since investors never read them anyway. In a two-minute video clip, you can introduce yourself, show your passion and the engaging personality you need to win over customers, partners, and employees.

Startup 104

Startup Writing Entrepreneur Slides 104

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 20, 2018

As a mentor to startups and new entrepreneurs, I continue to hear the refrain that business plans are no longer required for a new startup, since investors never read them anyway. In a two-minute video clip, you can introduce yourself, show your passion and the engaging personality you need to win over customers, partners, and employees.

Startup 65

Startup Entrepreneur Slides Content 65

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 18, 2014

As a mentor to startups and new entrepreneurs, I continue to hear the refrain that business plans are no longer required for a new startup, since investors never read them anyway. In a two-minute video clip, you can introduce yourself, show your passion and the engaging personality you need to win over customers, partners, and employees.

Entrepreneur 108

Entrepreneur Startup Writing Slides 108

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 3, 2010

YOU Selling – My wise old friend & mentor, Ameet Shah, once told me after a meeting we had with clients (when I worked at Accenture), “there are two ways to run a meeting: asking or telling. Let’s assume you run a Customer Support software company. But DO NOT crocodile into your solution page.

Sales 314

Sales Startup Venture Capital Custom 314

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 12, 2013

Every startup mentor has his favorite list of basic strategies to avoid pitfalls, and I’m no exception. Every new startup needs to fight the urge to get the product out, and then start selling it. In business, “most important” means time to market, customer service, low cost, and beating your competitors. Manage your time.

Tips 102

Tips Help Startup Blogging 102

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 6, 2012

Often I find that experienced investors flip to the management page of a business plan, even before they read the product description. To be respected at the top of the pyramid, a CEO must be able to clearly communicate the vision of the company to inspire investors, the team, and customers. That’s how important the people are.

Startup 94

Startup Resource Social Network Mentor 94

SoCal Delicious

JANUARY 9, 2014

Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle framework “People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it” Simon Sinek If your customers believe in your mission, then they’ll warm to you and listen to what you offer and how. Having a clear focus means it’s easier to communicate what your product is and who it’s for. Here are two examples.

Startup 78

Startup Design Custom Customer 78

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 20, 2010

Often I find that experienced investors flip to the management page of a business plan, even before they read the product description. To be respected at the top of the pyramid, a CEO must be able to clearly communicate the vision of the company to inspire investors, the team, and customers. That’s how important the people are.

Startup 93

Startup Resource Mentor Writing 93

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 6, 2016

Howard Schultz, who grew Starbucks to 13,000 stores by 2008, decided to step back in as CEO when the economy was killing his stores, and refocus everyone on the customer. Entrepreneur examples include Larry Page and Sergey Brin at Google, who turned a new search technology into a tool that most of us couldn’t live without.

Examples 76

Examples Startup Coach Patents 76

InfoChachkie

APRIL 25, 2011

If you are a leader at a startup and you are reading a business book, you are not closing customers, raising capital, improving your product, or spending time with your loved ones. Ask For Mentoring. Cover Story – After the index, Guy includes a few pages that describe the “making of” the book’s cover. Form Friendships.

Technical Review 279

Technical Review Blogging Class Entrepreneur 279

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 30, 2013

Howard Schultz, who grew Starbucks to 13,000 stores by 2008, decided to step back in as CEO when the economy was killing his stores, and refocus everyone on the customer. Entrepreneur examples include Larry Page and Sergey Brin at Google, who turned a new search technology into a tool that most of us couldn’t live without.

Entrepreneur 104

Entrepreneur Startup Examples Ideas 104

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 7, 2014

As a startup mentor and investor, I am approached regularly by aspiring entrepreneurs who assert that business plans are a waste of time. The size of the document should be based on your style, but 10-20 pages or slides are usually more than adequate to outline even a complex business.

Technical Review 109

Technical Review Writing Entrepreneur Slides 109

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 9, 2012

Howard Schultz, who grew Starbucks to 13,000 stores by 2008, decided to step back in as CEO when the economy was killing his stores, and refocus everyone on the customer. Entrepreneur examples include Larry Page and Sergey Brin at Google, who turned a new search technology into a tool that most of us couldn’t live without.

Startup 104

Startup Examples Entrepreneur Ideas 104

Tech Zulu Event

MAY 9, 2014

This was a chance to blow open the story on their companies, to address a room full of potential investors, mentors, partners, customers, and press. To learn more about all the companies, be sure to visit 500 Startups’ official demo day page. They showed very impressive average customer repurchases.

Startup 111

Startup Mobile Commerce Education 111

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 3, 2020

In my experience as a business mentor, one of the biggest challenges I see is a failure to focus. Here are the key elements that I look for as an entrepreneur mentor, as indications of a top level of focus: Willing to share your personal story to build credibility. Key parameters always include opportunity size and forecast.

Entrepreneur 126

Entrepreneur Startup Patents Resource 126

Jason Nazar

MAY 2, 2016

If you are inventing or creating a product, understand patents and register for one at the USPTO. Check Google , Yellow Pages , and local directories to ensure your business name is not taken. Choose an email system to connect with customers ( Constant Contact , MailChimp , Sendgrid ). Business Mentors. Recommended.

Outsource Development 40

Outsource Development Startup Google Mentor 40

SoCal CTO

AUGUST 3, 2010

Though this was 2000 , and all startup & VC blogs we've grown to love didn't exist yet, I did have mentors available. 0160; If I need $250,000 to get to 100 customers, or $1 million to get to X, and I can raise both amounts from either Angels or VCs, where do we turn? Customer Care Today. They ignore/disrespect the platform.

Startup 217

Startup Venture Capital Blogging Software Review 217